Latest news with #CHIF
Hamilton Spectator
25-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Zoning change expands housing options in Brant County
County of Brant Council approved a staff recommendation to support a zoning by-law amendment that would permit four residential units as-of-right in the communities of St. George and Paris, during the regular Council meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Earlier this year on February 11, Council directed staff to undertake a detailed analysis to identify local provisions that would permit up to four (4) units as-of-right, per lot, within the fully-serviced primary settlement areas of Paris and St. George. Currently, the County's existing zoning regulations permit up to three residential units per lot as-of-right (one primary and two ARUs), in fully serviced areas. By approving the zoning by-law amendment, it would allow the County to qualify for the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) – Direct Delivery Stream funding, which is designed to help enable the construction of more housing as it supports infrastructure projects such as water, stormwater, wastewater and solid waste systems. To qualify, municipalities with over 30,000 residents must commit to permit zoning for four units as-of-right, per lot, in all low-density residential areas with municipal servicing. If received, the funding would support much-needed infrastructure upgrades in Paris and St. George, and would ultimately support increased housing options with the county. According to an April 8 report, the initiative is 'one of the first steps in the County's Housing Needs Assessment process, aimed at facilitating the development of more affordable and diverse housing options while supporting focused growth and infrastructure.' Allowing four units as-of-right would mean that a property can have up to four units on one lot. This could include a fourplex, which is one building split into four equal parts, or one main home and three additional rental units (ARUs) that are smaller. Additionally, detached, semidetached, duplex, triplex, stacked townhouse, rowhouse, and street-fronting rowhouse dwellings could also all be used to achieve four units depending on the zoning of the lot. While as-of-right permission means a property owner can build without going through a public meeting or getting Council approval, regardless of the configuration, a building permit would be required for any new proposed residential dwelling. During the meeting, Negin Mousavi Berenjaghi, a Development Planning Student with the County, presented Council with some changes to the preliminary item from April 8 including side and rear yard setbacks, ARU building heights and maximum lot coverage. She also noted that there would be no changes to zoning requirements for parking, landscape open spaces, unobstructed access, lot frontage, and lot area. She said that the reason for that would be to ensure that future infills remain gentle and to minimize impacts on existing developments. 'Any residential development and redevelopment must demonstrate the availability of adequate servicing. These required standards, along with site-specific conditions, can influence the potential uptake of the four units' initiative,' said Mousavi Berenjaghi. 'At least five parking spaces would be required for four dwelling units, assuming the primary dwelling unit fronts a public street and includes three ARUs. Smaller lots are unlikely to accommodate sufficient parking for more than three dwelling units.' Following the rest of her presentation, resident Karen Seiling stood to express her concerns for the older, more unique residential areas. 'My understanding is that someone could come in and take that lovely home up on St. Andrew Street and make it into a fourplex, and the lovely front grass and backyard would now become a parking lot,' she said. Brandon Kortleve, the County's Manager of Policy Planning, clarified that there are regulations in the zoning (such as parking, setback requirements and lot size) that will ultimately prohibit many owners from putting any additional units in, but that the goal is to ensure flexibility for those properties that can meet the criteria. Seiling reiterated that it was one thing to allow additional units in the newer parts of Paris, but to do it in the older, more established neighbourhoods, would ultimately disturb the small town feel of the community. 'We're looking to you to do what's right for our little town,' she said. Councillor Steve Howes said that while people are reasonably concerned about the issue, he pointed out that multiple units have been allowed in the county for some time now. He then asked staff how many home owners have actually taken advantage of the currently permitted three units as-of-right. Alysha Dyjach, the County's General Manager of Development Services, later said that the answer to his question was zero, 'we don't have any yet that have come forward.' Councillors John Bell and John Peirce said that while they were supportive of having diverse and innovative housing options, they were worried this would open some sort of Pandora's box. Pierce said that because of the loss of lot coverage with the additional units, he was worried there would be nowhere for the vehicles to park without spilling out onto the streets. 'That's going to cause more problems with street parking and it's going to exacerbate a problem that we've already have. The initial statement in this report is, 'to increase the opportunities for diverse and innovative housing options,'' he said. 'One-hundred per cent we need to do that, but I believe this is not the way to do it. I think this is opening up something that we don't really want to do. If we want to do it on a case to case basis, that's a different story altogether, but I think just opening it up like this is going to cause issues.' Looking at it from a different point of view, Councillor Lukas Oakley later said that the community desperately needs this type of expanded housing options. 'We need them to be in areas that are already developed, or else we will continue to have urban sprawl and pave over farmland or natural areas,' he said. '… In my opinion, it's the financially responsible thing, the socially responsible thing and the environmentally responsible thing to support this recommendation tonight.' Councillors Jennifer Kyle and Howes said that while there isn't a perfect solution, they need to think of the younger residents looking for modest housing and the seniors who are looking to downsize. 'I think we need to be forward thinking for this because this is more of the gentle density that should theoretically keep that small town feeling, rather than continuing to expand out and put in more big apartment buildings,' said Kyle. 'If we can find some of these smaller solutions, I think that will actually help to keep the feel of the town.' Mayor David Bailey said that while yes, there's funding attached to allow the four units as-of-right, he was worried about doing the wrong thing. 'I think we just need to tweak it so that we don't end up with these things looking like bunk houses on Grand River Street going up the hill because we didn't have our qualifications or our Terms of Reference right,' he said. 'Maybe we should just tweak it and then okay it, but I don't think we should have it so that that can happen. I'm worried about things slipping through.' In the end the motion to enable four units as-of-right in all low-density, full serviced areas of Paris and St. George, was carried on a vote of 6-4, noting that Councillor Christine Garneau was not present. Kimberly De Jong's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at .
Canada Standard
24-05-2025
- Business
- Canada Standard
The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia finalize a ten-year agreement to get more homes built
Canada News Centre 23 May 2025, 22:35 GMT+10 Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 23, 2025 -The Government of Canada is using every tool at its disposal, leveraging technology, innovation and partnerships, to build homes at a scale and speed not seen since the Second World War. To that end, the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia have finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), to get more homes built in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia will receive $170.9 million to invest in foundational infrastructure - including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste systems - necessary to unlock sustainable, long-term housing supply. As part of this agreement, Nova Scotia will extend the freeze on development charges announced on November 10, 2023. Reducing development charges makes the housing market work better by bringing down costs for builders, making it easier to build more homes. As we build a strong Canadian housing sector, purposeful collaboration between all orders of government will be essential. The Government will make housing more affordable by unleashing the power of public-private cooperation, catalysing a modern housing industry, and creating new careers in the skilled trades.
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia finalize a ten-year agreement to get more homes built Français
HALIFAX, NS, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is using every tool at its disposal, leveraging technology, innovation and partnerships, to build homes at a scale and speed not seen since the Second World War. To that end, the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia have finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), to get more homes built in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia will receive $170.9 million to invest in foundational infrastructure – including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste systems – necessary to unlock sustainable, long-term housing supply. As part of this agreement, Nova Scotia will extend the freeze on development charges announced on November 10, 2023. Reducing development charges makes the housing market work better by bringing down costs for builders, making it easier to build more homes. As we build a strong Canadian housing sector, purposeful collaboration between all orders of government will be essential. The Government will make housing more affordable by unleashing the power of public-private cooperation, catalysing a modern housing industry, and creating new careers in the skilled trades. Quotes "As a nation of builders, it's time to build Canada stronger. We are cutting the cost of building and partnering with Nova Scotia to fund critical housing infrastructure to lower the cost of housing." The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency "Investing in critical infrastructure like drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste systems is needed to build more homes, faster across Nova Scotia. This 10-year agreement will support communities in Nova Scotia, while advancing our shared housing objectives and needs." The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship "We understand the importance of supporting municipalities with investments in infrastructure projects that will grow communities and create more housing options for Nova Scotians. With these investments, many projects will move forward more quickly. This program will provide hundreds of millions of dollars over the next 10 years and create a more prosperous future for Nova Scotia." The Honourable John Lohr, Nova Scotia Minister of Municipal Affairs Quick facts In addition to the $170.9 million federal investment, the province has committed to contributing a minimum of 33.33% of eligible project costs for projects led by municipal or regional governments. At least 20% of the 10-year funding will be allocated to projects in rural or Indigenous communities. Part of Budget 2024, and Canada's Housing Plan, CHIF will invest more than $5 billion over 10 years for the construction and upgrading of core public infrastructure that will enable housing growth and densification in communities across Canada. A share of this funding is allocated to support long-term provincial and territorial priorities. Provinces and territories must finalize an agreement and commit to key housing-enabling conditions to receive funding. Funding for those provinces and territories that do not conclude an agreement will be transferred to the direct delivery stream of CHIF. Funding through the direct delivery stream of CHIF is supporting important infrastructure projects in municipalities and Indigenous communities. The intake for this stream has successfully closed. On March 22, 2025, the Government of Canada announced 25 projects that will receive funding under the direct-delivery stream of CHIF to promote housing development across the country. On April 12, 2024, the federal government released its ambitious housing plan, Solving the housing crisis: Canada's Housing Plan, supported by new investments from Budget 2024. The plan acknowledges the diverse needs of Canadians and centres around these three pillars: Building more homes. Making it easier to own or rent a home. Helping Canadians who can't afford a home. CHIF is designed to help communities build the infrastructure necessary to support more homes and increase housing density. The funding can be used for projects that improve drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, as well as initiatives that preserve existing capacity, enhance system reliability, or implement waste diversion measures to reduce landfill use. Associated Links Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada's Housing Plan Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia finalize a ten-year agreement to get more homes built
HALIFAX, NS, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is using every tool at its disposal, leveraging technology, innovation and partnerships, to build homes at a scale and speed not seen since the Second World War. To that end, the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia have finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), to get more homes built in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia will receive $170.9 million to invest in foundational infrastructure – including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste systems – necessary to unlock sustainable, long-term housing supply. As part of this agreement, Nova Scotia will extend the freeze on development charges announced on November 10, 2023. Reducing development charges makes the housing market work better by bringing down costs for builders, making it easier to build more homes. As we build a strong Canadian housing sector, purposeful collaboration between all orders of government will be essential. The Government will make housing more affordable by unleashing the power of public-private cooperation, catalysing a modern housing industry, and creating new careers in the skilled trades. Quotes "As a nation of builders, it's time to build Canada stronger. We are cutting the cost of building and partnering with Nova Scotia to fund critical housing infrastructure to lower the cost of housing." The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency "Investing in critical infrastructure like drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste systems is needed to build more homes, faster across Nova Scotia. This 10-year agreement will support communities in Nova Scotia, while advancing our shared housing objectives and needs." The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship "We understand the importance of supporting municipalities with investments in infrastructure projects that will grow communities and create more housing options for Nova Scotians. With these investments, many projects will move forward more quickly. This program will provide hundreds of millions of dollars over the next 10 years and create a more prosperous future for Nova Scotia." The Honourable John Lohr, Nova Scotia Minister of Municipal Affairs Quick facts In addition to the $170.9 million federal investment, the province has committed to contributing a minimum of 33.33% of eligible project costs for projects led by municipal or regional governments. At least 20% of the 10-year funding will be allocated to projects in rural or Indigenous communities. Part of Budget 2024, and Canada's Housing Plan, CHIF will invest more than $5 billion over 10 years for the construction and upgrading of core public infrastructure that will enable housing growth and densification in communities across Canada. A share of this funding is allocated to support long-term provincial and territorial priorities. Provinces and territories must finalize an agreement and commit to key housing-enabling conditions to receive funding. Funding for those provinces and territories that do not conclude an agreement will be transferred to the direct delivery stream of CHIF. Funding through the direct delivery stream of CHIF is supporting important infrastructure projects in municipalities and Indigenous communities. The intake for this stream has successfully closed. On March 22, 2025, the Government of Canada announced 25 projects that will receive funding under the direct-delivery stream of CHIF to promote housing development across the country. On April 12, 2024, the federal government released its ambitious housing plan, Solving the housing crisis: Canada's Housing Plan, supported by new investments from Budget 2024. The plan acknowledges the diverse needs of Canadians and centres around these three pillars: Building more homes. Making it easier to own or rent a home. Helping Canadians who can't afford a home. CHIF is designed to help communities build the infrastructure necessary to support more homes and increase housing density. The funding can be used for projects that improve drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, as well as initiatives that preserve existing capacity, enhance system reliability, or implement waste diversion measures to reduce landfill use. Associated Links Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada's Housing Plan Legislation to Speed Up Housing Builds in Halifax Regional Municipality Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedInWeb: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
17-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Halifax Water plans major upgrades within Windsor Street exchange project
Halifax Water is planning multi-million dollar infrastructure upgrades as part of the Windsor Street exchange redevelopment, including the replacement of "high-risk" pieces vital to delivering water to the peninsula. Earlier this month, the utility asked the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board (formerly the Utility and Review Board) to approve $69.2 million in construction and design costs for multiple infrastructure changes. In their application, Halifax Water said these upgrades are needed within the next few years, so it makes sense to complete the work while the area will already be under construction. They said integrating the work will save taxpayers money, and have less impact on the public. About $43 million in construction costs will be spent on local water, wastewater and stormwater upgrades to replace aging pipes that are nearing their end of life. Pipes will be better aligned with the new roadway layout, the application said, in some cases moving infrastructure under the street rather than needing easements to cross private land. About $13.7 million will be used to replace the North End Feeder (NEF) transmission main, which is a pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe that supplies most of the water to the peninsula's north end. It was built in the mid-1970s and is entering its 48th year, with a lifespan of about 50 to 75 years. The application said this transmission main is considered "high risk" because it's not easily accessible as it's located in a deep tunnel below sea level. The pipe is under "significantly high pressures with unknown condition and would be catastrophic if it were to fail," Halifax Water said. A new transmission main will be installed at a shallower depth along a different alignment to the existing pipe, to handle expected increases in water demand and allow the system to operate even with one of the mains out of service. The remaining $12.2 million will go to a sewer separation project to support the planned housing growth in the Young Street area. A new stormwater pipe will go from the end of Kempt Road through the Windsor Street exchange to connect to an existing pipe on Bayne Street. Millions more dollars in upgrades will be needed for both the Young Street sewer separation and North End Feeder main outside of this project, but the utility said they will request approval for those funds at a future date. Halifax Water said most of the construction costs will be funded by debt, but the utility has also applied for federal funding under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). They are awaiting the result of that request. Municipal staff have said construction on the overall Windsor Street exchange redevelopment will start this year. Halifax is redesigning the important intersection to improve truck and car traffic through the area, and create a new multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians. Some transit-only lanes will be created, but two-way bus lanes will come during the second phase of the project in a few years because the road must be widened. The entire $150-million project is being cost shared with the federal and provincial governments, Halifax Water and Port of Halifax. The Halifax municipality's share is about $53 million.
